Charles Toutant

March 08, 2010 | Law.com

Law firm Carella, Byrne, Cecchi, Olstein, Brody & Agnello faces conflict allegations over its projected $3.5 million fee for representing shareholders who obtained no monetary or equitable relief in a class action settlement over the merger of drug giants Merck and Schering-Plough. The lawyer for the class member opposing the settlement argues that certifying the class serves no purpose except to make Carella Byrne eligible for attorney fees. He also seeks sanctions against the firm for allegedly botching the suit.

By Charles Toutant

4 minute read

December 08, 2006 | Law.com

In a wave of federal suits, Verizon Wireless is attacking the practice of "pretexting," by which imposters pose as customers to obtain calling details and other information. The suits, the most recent of which was filed Tuesday in New Jersey, charge that the defendants accessed customers' accounts online by entering telephone numbers and other data in violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and the state Computer Related Offenses Act, as well as common-law fraud, conversion and civil conspiracy.

By Charles Toutant

4 minute read

December 29, 2003 | New Jersey Law Journal

Since danger invites rescue, those injured rushing to give aid are foreseeable plaintiffs even if they never arrive at the scene, and a tortfeasor thus owes en route Good Samaritans a duty of care under the common-law rescue doctrine, a Mercer County judge ruled last Tuesday.

By Charles Toutant

3 minute read

August 03, 2007 | New Jersey Law Journal

It used to be that salaries for first-year associates at large firms remained intact for the year, but increasing pressures to match the pay offered elsewhere have impelled some New Jersey firms to a mid-year hike.

By Charles Toutant

4 minute read

March 24, 2009 | New Jersey Law Journal

The judiciary's threatened termination of service by mail in the Special Civil Part due to insufficient funds has been averted, now that the Legislature has enacted a measure that allows the courts to adjust the fee charged as postal rates rise.

By Charles Toutant

3 minute read

September 13, 2010 | The Legal Intelligencer

Now that New Jersey courtrooms have Wi-Fi capability, trial lawyers with wireless laptops have a distinct edge: The ability to Google prospective jurors at the counsel table.

By Charles Toutant

4 minute read

April 15, 2009 | Law.com

Porzio, Bromberg & Newman of Morristown, N.J., has announced that it has formed a strategic alliance with Newark's Love and Long, whose three lawyers are African-Americans. The relationship is designed to serve Porzio corporate clients who require a certain minimal level of minority staffing, and will provide Love and Long with added resources to tackle larger cases, the firms say. The alliance follows the trend of other large New Jersey firms that have entered joint ventures with minority-owned firms.

By Charles Toutant

4 minute read

February 04, 2010 | New Jersey Law Journal

Five Connell Foley lawyers well-versed in policies written by offshore insurers have been cherry-picked by Clyde & Co., a London-based law firm, to open a New Jersey office.

By Charles Toutant

5 minute read

May 22, 2006 | New Jersey Law Journal

While nonequity partnership has transformed the former "up or out" construct at law firms, it is still primarily a bridge to full partnership rather than a final destination, according to a management consultant's survey.

By Charles Toutant

6 minute read

February 07, 2005 | New Jersey Law Journal

State Sen. Wayne Bryant is benefiting from the $175 million urban renewal package for Camden that Bryant sponsored in the Legislature.

By Charles Toutant

4 minute read